Vespasian, 69-79. Denarius (Silver, 19 mm, 3.45 g, 6 h), Rome, 76. IMP CAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Laureate head of Vespasian to right. Rev. COS VII Eagle with wings spread standing facing on garlanded cippus, head to left. BMC 180. Cohen 120. RIC 847. Light scratches on the obverse, otherwise, almost extremely fine
From the Joseph Markowitz Collection (1897-1981), brought to Israel in 1949 and kept in the family ever since.
Vespasian rebuilt much of Rome, still largely ruined from the devastating fire that swept the city in AD 64, and he extended the citizenship of the Empire. The reverse of this coin is a stock type which alludes to this Flavian peace and prosperity, and perhaps implies the hand of Jupiter Optimus Maximus (Jupiter, Best and Greatest) to whom Vespasian had paid particular attention, re-consecrating his temple in AD 70.
